AMIT English teacher Shoshana Lev was named Teacher of the Century. Lev, who teaches at AMIT Wasserman Torah, Arts and Sciences Junior and Senior High School for Girls in Maaleh Adumim, was among eight outstanding AMIT educators who made the prestigious list of this year’s “Teachers of the Century” by the Education Ministry’s religious education administration. To make the grade, the teacher must embody what is part and parcel of AMIT’s core values: educational innovation, Jewish and Zionist values, and the ability to help each student reach their potential.
Lev, 42, was born in Hadera, Israel. She studied English Linguistics at Bar Ilan University. She and her husband, David, and their five children live in Maaleh Adumim. She started teaching with AMIT in 2010 in Maaleh Adumim. She loves reading books about Jewish faith and philosophy and has continued to learn how to best teach academically challenged students.
We asked Lev to share her thoughts on what makes her one of the country’s “Teachers of the Century.” She told Ma Nishma, in her own words:
“I’ve been teaching for almost 20 years, including five years in Russia. These have been the most educational, developmental, and inspirational experiences. I came into this world to learn the ways of Hashem and to be a partner with him in educating future generations. I strive to emulate the attributes of Hashem when teaching my students. As a teacher in the AMIT system, and specifically at AMIT Wasserman Torah, Arts and Sciences Junior and Senior High School for Girls in Maaleh Adumim, I have been given the opportunity to put into practice all the things that I have been taught and learned through my teaching experience. I am still learning every day; this is a lifelong task.
The vision and theme of our school is ligdol b’emet, which means to grow in truth. I believe this is accurate because genuine growth occurs only when you live a life of truth and honesty. My previous principal would ask, “What is your emet? (truth)?” Once you can answer that question, you are on the right path to finding your place in the world. My current principal says, “ligdol b’emet” which takes the concept further – once you have found your direction or your truth, you should continue along that path to grow and develop further. These two philosophies complement each other because they show the beginning of growth and its continuation.
In the decade that I have been at AMIT Wasserman School for Girls, I have been able to see these philosophies come to life through the girls at our school. The programs introduced to the girls are varied and diverse. When the students are able to choose a program that is best suited to them, we see the end result – that the girls flourish and continue to learn. Some of the programs are the electives that include drama, art, computers, science, and more. Other students participate in programs in conjunction with Hebrew University, hi-tech companies such as Google, and other cutting-edge programs in technology. They offer the students an opportunity to improve their self-confidence and learn many new skills that will help them succeed in the 21st century. Once they have this self-confidence, they are able to contribute to society with their newfound knowledge and experience.
AMIT Wasserman for Girls is also a religious Zionist school and it promotes a love for Israel, the Jewish people, and the Torah. To this end, programs at the school involve outreach to the community, as the girls are required to complete 100 hours of working in areas of their choosing. This includes volunteering in schools, working with the elderly, collecting food for the less fortunate, and providing our soldiers with packages to brighten their day, among many other opportunities for chesed. The girls learn the value of giving to others and being part of the greater Jewish community. These values come from our Torah.
I believe in the school and its mission on a professional as well as personal level. I have enrolled my three daughters at our school. I am pleased with the education and values they are taught, not only the lessons in our schoolbooks, but the examples set by our staff. The staff is warm and loving. They are great role models on how to live as a proud Torah Jew in Israel.”
Read the full story about the 8 AMIT Educators Named Teacher of the Century.Photos by Barchi Zarbiv
